"W-what happened? Why is she so scared?!" Captain Don asked, shocked at the sudden change in the calm and so-far cheery little girl's abrupt change of mental state. Such an intense reaction just from seemingly only 'looking' at the two girls was beyond his understanding.

Being a warrior without any talent in the arcane, mystical arts, the Captain was oblivious to what could have happened that could cause such a shock. Unlike him, however, the thin younger-looking youth in their corps, the one that shrouded the interim of the barracks previously, was frowning at the little girl's display.

His usually meek attitude shifted, his expression souring into a stern, serious outlook, he sighed heavily, remarking amidst his breath.

"Something's not right. There's a foreign presence inside them."

"What?! What does that mean?" The captain exclaimed, taking long strides to rush over to the girl and Aiden. In his frantic state, he was about to reach for the girl to rouse her. Before his hands could grab hold of her, they have been pushed away by the young master Captain Don has seemingly forgotten amidst his fright. Though the nudge wasn't hard, it still carried enough force to throw the agitated man off-balance causing him to fall to the side and ultimately stabilize himself by kneeling down on one knee.

This action did manage to rouse the captain from his daze and lose all the remaining strength inside his body, causing him to crumble down on the ground. His previously healthy look turned pale, as he gazed at the two girls, the twin sisters with dread.

"A-are.. are they.." Don gulped, unable to finish his line of thought. In truth, he didn't need to; the look in his eyes, the loss of blood on his face did the deed for him very clearly.

Seeing the swift change on the Captain, Aiden could only sigh and shift his attention at the two girls once again. Previously, he turned the system's notifications off, as all the constant blinks, noises, or small windows were more of a nuisance than a help. With the newest addition to his arsenal, the small, automatic scans and consequent tooltips, if he didn't turn everything off, he would go crazy in probably a day or, at most, two.

Focusing his attention, Aiden turned on the visual aids and turned his gaze over the two sprawled out bodies of the girls.

In the next moment, as his system-generated map appeared at the corner of his eyes, small windows began to appear one by one. Surprisingly instead of the expected two, there were more, confirming a long-brooding suspicion of Aiden's.

[Source: Ginny von Balsaven

Power: Martial Arts, Wind (Basic)

Threat Level: N/A

Affiliation: Hostile (Under the effects of Mental Control]

[Source: Gilly von Balsaven

Power: Martial Arts, Wind (Basic)

Threat Level: N/A

Affiliation: Hostile (Under the effects of Mental Control]

[Source: ????

Power: Darkness

Threat Level: High

Affiliation: Hostile, ????]

Just as he expected, this strange veil that slowly but surely suffocated the residents of Higrove wasn't just an illusion, it wasn't a creation of his overactive mind, but a real, tangible threat. Shockingly, the invisible entity was actually quite powerful if angered even to Aiden himself.

Ever since the upgrade of the system, the highest classification Aiden saw was 'Minimal' and even that was on Drake. Though he never bothered to inspect the elderly butler or the madame of the mansion, he was pretty certain, that neither of them would reach such high of a regard.

He frowned at this sight, but still did not utter a word to the Captain. It wouldn't serve any point, and would just be further fuel to his despaired state, causing him to lose the last of the control he had over his mind and risk going into a frenzy.

Instead, Aiden focused his attention on their shared mental channel. historical

'Galina be careful as you heal them. There is something inside them still. Something that is still controlling their every action.'

Though his words were grave, the little girl didn't hesitate in her response even if it wasn't her usual tone but a much more serious, worried-sounding one. Though she was still scared, frightened by what she saw and felt, she steeled her resolve for her beloved Young Master.

'Y-yes Young Master! I w-will do my everything in my power!'

'I know you are already very taxed, and tired, but still, I must ask you to try your best. Do not worry, I will protect you, and assist you with everything I can, so just focus on healing their injuries and driving out.. whatever that thing you saw.'

At once, Galina once again began to chant in the ancient language, whilst slowly she began to draw with both of her hands in the air. Her index fingers drawing the mysterious runes in the air, following the trail they drew in the empty air, glowing lines lingered.

However, unlike previously, the completed runes didn't fade away instantly, but floated in place, as if awaiting their brothers and sisters to join them before launching a combined assault on the unknown foe, the strange entity still holding onto the minds of the faint.

One after another several other symbols, runes were completed by the girl's swift actions, whilst she kept on mumbling, muttering, chanting in the unknown language, not bothered how her actions may have looked or if the entity would try to launch an attack of its own. She trusted her young master without question, her focus was on completing the spell as quickly as possible.

A minute has passed before the last, eighth rune appeared in the air and her rhythmic mumbling reached its conclusion. In the next instant, the runes separated into two groups, and shot forth, entering into the two young woman's bodies without any resistance, merging into their solid mass in an instant.

In the next moment, both girl's bodies began to glow, radiating a faint glimmer of colorless luster. The glimmer wasn't constant, as it kept increasing in intensity until finally, a change occurred.

Suddenly, the light flickered, as it found the unknown force, only to lose a bit of their power as the entity retaliated.

Galina suddenly groaned in pain, coughing and spitting a mouthful of blood on the ground. Yet, she didn't hesitate but immediately fought back. She raised her hands once more and resumed her chanting. This time she didn't draw but kept her palm open, each arm lingering above one of the girls.

Aiden was shocked as he felt the backlash, the counterattack of the entity through their shared mental connection. Though he didn't know what she had done, the spell wasn't a simple healing chant, like previously, but somehow Galina retained a sort of connection with the runes as they submerged into the bodies and began their search for the unknown invader.

Once the entity was roused and was agitated, it immediately reacted, using the very same connection to try to breach the girl's mental defenses and take over the control.

Incensed when he realized this, Aiden touched Galina's back and began to channel his own power to reinforce and protect his girl.

No matter who or what this thing was, nobody can hurt his family!

---

AN: Hey there Readers!

Just a friendly reminder, that from wherever you are reading , you can reach out to me using any of the below methods!

For you, sailors of the seventh sea (non-WN readers), be a bro/gal and throw me a cup of joe, show your appreciation!

Links:

/shaele